[Mostly] Wordless Wednesday - A Grizzly Sight & Links

It's [Mostly] Wordless Wednesday again!  Today's photos are of a playful grizzly at the local zoo (bet you thought I misspelled "grisly/grizzly" in the title!).  The reason I haven't posted these before is that I was taking the photos from behind very thick, filthy, scratched, splashed and slobbered upon glass.  So...the photos suck, BUT he is just so cute I had to share him, anyway.  And, hey, you don't come here for professional photos, right?

Before I get to the grizzly, I want to say thanks for all the feedback on responding to rejections.  Also, my final Fraterfest update is that I finished the book by Jones, and started the book by Harrison, but did not get that one finished.  "The Ones That Got Away" was a great collection of short stories.  The very first story gave me goosebumps.  If you ever read it, you'll know what I mean.

Okay, heeeeeere's the Griz!  (This is one time I recommend you do NOT click on the photos to enlarge them...)

Stepping in for a dip

Look, a stick!  nom, nom, nom

Thanks for the floss

 

This is the best toy ever!

Linky Time:

Taking Submissions:

Stymie Magazine is open for submissions.  They are looking for work that is sports themed or has something sports related as part of it.  Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, photographs, creative non-fiction, etc.  As far as I know, this is not a paid market.  However, I recently contacted the founding editor, Erik Smetana, about something unrelated to making a submission.  He got back to me promptly and was a nice guy, in addition to being professional.  If I ever have anything sports themed, I'd be delighted to work with Erik and Stymie Magazine.

The Potomac Review is taking submissions of prose and poetry (also photographs if you inquire first).  Submission window is Sept. 1 to May 1.  Pays in contributor copies.

[PANK] is taking submissions through November 30.  Poetry and prose.  They also take book reviews and blog posts via separate means.

Contests:

Grubstreet Reads is having a flash fiction contest.  (That link will take you to their Facebook - I am having problems getting to their website).  Determined by reader votes.  Possible prize of a Kindle Fire.  300 word maximum.  Enter directly on their Facebook by clicking on the Flash Fiction tab at the top of the main page.

Giveaways:

Bish Denham at Random Thoughts is having her Second Annual Blogtoberfest and giving away five books/sets of books.  Simply requires you to leave a comment to be entered.

Rebecca Hamilton will be holding her Forever Girl Anniversary Tour and Giveaway in January.  She's looking for people to help on the tour and host giveaways, for which she will provide two e-books for your giveaway.  You set the rules for your portion of the giveaway.  She'll also be doing an item giveaway that is separate, but overlaps this one.  Those slots are full, but you can still try to win the prizes.

Challenges/Blog Hops:

Marie Landry at Ramblings of a Daydreamer is hosting her 2nd Annual Spooktacular Paranormal Reading Challenge from October 1 through Halloween.  She is challenging participants to read and review at least three paranormal books this month.  There will be a prize drawing for participants.

Other:

Carol Kilgore at Under the Tiki Hut put together the Writers' LIKE ME Project to help writers get their links out there and get to know each other.  You can post your various links to your books, Facebook, blog, website, Twitter, GoodReads, you name it.

Writer's Digest posted Sherman Alexie's Top 10 Pieces of Advice for Writers.

Book Riot posted 5 Women Writers Tougher Than Hemingway.

That's it for this week.

Anything to share?  Anything in here sound good to you?  What about those tough female writers?  Ever seen a grizzly not in a zoo?  

May you find your Muse.

New Look, Contest & A to Z Followup Signup

Today is the first scheduled post during my vacation. We're on our way to Orlando to enjoy the end of the school year with good friends, but I didn't want to abandon you entirely, so I have written and scheduled several posts, just in case I am unable to sign in during my trip! I try to respond to all comments, but it will take me longer than usual during my vacation. If I'm unable to sign in during my trip, I will get back to everyone upon my return.

You probably noticed the blog is looking a little different. It became a necessity when the old template wouldn't allow me to change certain details, which made both my poll and the signup for the A to Z impossible to read unless you highlighted the text with your cursor. I figured people wouldn't appreciate that, so a new look it is! Eventually, I will get around to putting a custom face on here, but I have no idea when I'll have the time.

Before I explain about the A to Z signup, I wanted to let everyone know about a contest Sylvia Ney is running on her blog Writing in Wonderland. It is a 1000 word picture-prompted contest. The picture is a great choice, and one I can see inspiring some very interesting stories. Click on the name of her blog above for details. She is accepting submissions through June 6, 2011.

You may have also noticed a little linky underneath the name and description of my blog. This is a signup to participate in the Followup Blog Hop to the A to Z, where Tina of Life is Good and I are encouraging those who participated in the A to Z Challenge to visit the blogs they missed while working so hard to keep up with the challenge, itself. I've found so many wonderful blogs via the participants of the original challenge, and I'm sure there are many I've missed, so far. The goal is to visit all of the blogs by the end of the summer. You may take it as far as you please, whether that means simply visiting each blog and commenting where you choose, or making it a point to comment on every blog you visit. This linky list will eventually appear on Tina's blog (she is on vacation at the same time as me, and I needed some time to fiddle with the linky, as it was my first time attempting one). If there is anyone else who would like to be a host of this blog hop, please leave me a comment with the means to contact you in my comments or email me via the email in my profile. I will get you the code to put it on your blog, as well.

While there is no true official start or end date to this hop, it is meant to be a summer challenge. I intend to start June 1 and be finished by September 1. The linky list will remain open for signups until July 1. Let me know in comments if you have any questions. You can access the original signup list of the A to Z Challenge by clicking on the A to Z apple badge on the right side of my blog. Anyone can join, whether they participated in the original challenge or not. This is really about touching base with other bloggers and getting out there to find new blogs you might enjoy.

Happy Writing!